Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) Due!

Date/Time
Date(s) - 03/01/2027
All Day

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Here is the roadmap for your 2027 filing:

1. When is it Due?

For most counties in California, the deadline is March 1, 2027.

• The Default Rule: California law (HSC 25508) sets March 1 as the default annual deadline unless your local CUPA (Certified Unified Program Agency) specifies otherwise.

• The “3-Year Rule” vs. Annual: While you must certify your plan every year by March 1, you are required to do a full re-submittal (opening and re-saving every section) at least once every three years, even if nothing has changed.

• The 30-Day Trigger: If you have a “substantial change” (e.g., you start storing a new chemical, double your inventory of an existing one, or change your emergency contact), you must update CERS within 30 days, regardless of the March 1 deadline.

2. What Must be Included?

Your HMBP is not just one document; it is a digital packet in CERS consisting of:

• Business Activities & Facility Information: Basic “who and where” info.

• Hazardous Materials Inventory: A list of every chemical meeting the threshold (55 gal liquid / 500 lbs solid / 200 cf gas).

• Site Map: A diagram showing where chemicals are stored, north arrows, loading areas, and emergency shutoffs.

• Emergency Response & Contingency Plan: Procedures for spills, evacuations, and notifications.

• Employee Training Plan: A description of how you train staff on these hazards (which must be done annually).

3. How to Submit for 2027

Everything must be done through the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS).

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Log In: Access the CERS Business Portal.

2. Check for Changes: Review your 2026 data. Did you add a new backup generator (diesel)? Did you switch from lead-acid to lithium-ion batteries?

3. Update Inventory: Upload new Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for any chemical changes.

4. The “Certify” Button: * If NO changes occurred since your last full submittal: Look for the “Annual HMBP Certification” button (AB 1429). This allows you to certify that your current plan is still accurate without re-uploading everything.

   • If changes occurred: You must “Start” a new submittal for the specific section that changed (e.g., Inventory) and submit it.

5. Submit All Sections: Ensure the “Facility Information,” “Hazardous Materials Inventory,” and “Emergency Response and Training Plans” sections all show a status of “Submitted” or “Accepted.”